Tag Archives: BuTel Software

How often should you update your scanner programming?

Posted on by

One of the questions we get here at Scanner Master is how often one should update the programming on their scanner. The answer to that depends on a few things, including what kind of scanner you have, the resources available to you (computer, software etc.) and what is happening in your area.

The type of scanner you have is the first question we always ask. ZIP Code type scanners, such as the HomePatrol, x36/SDS type or the Whistler TRX and WS types are pretty easy to update with the free Sentinel or EZ-Scan software. With a Windows computer these can be updated as often as you like at no charge just by running the software and sending the updated data to the radio. Remember that updating the database does not update the Favorites Lists that you may have so if you are using Favorites Lists check them for any changes.

If you do not have a Windows computer or do not want to do this you can always let Scanner Master do the work for you. We sell fully programmed and ready to go SD Cards for your Uniden or Whistler ZIP Code enabled scanner for just $59.95.

On other modern scanners, such as the various Uniden, Whistler, GRE and Radio Shack digital radios (and some analog ones) they can be programmed by computer with the appropriate software and cables. If you have access to programming software then you can update these easily whenever needed. Scanner Master sells programming software for almost all the current scanners and most older ones.  – Read more

The third question relates to whether you actually need to change it or not. There are some places using the same channels they have for 20 years or more, the Chicago Police Department for example is using the same radio channels they were in the 1970’s for the most part. Other areas have changed frequencies or systems several times over the last couple decades.

For ZIP Code scanners we normally suggest that you update the database when you buy the radio and perhaps once or twice a year after that. If you go on a trip and are bringing your ZIP Code scanner with you update the database before you leave. You might have to update the scanner if you know that your targets have changed systems or perhaps they disappeared and you no longer hear them on the channels that once used.

For non-ZIP Code type scanners it is a little more difficult. Since these are pretty much custom programmed for your area you might have to tweak them from time to time to add a new channel or agency. If your targets move to a new system then you would need to reprogram or replace the scanner, depending on whether the scanner is capable of monitoring the new system.

We also suggest that you monitor the forums for your area at Radioreference.com. When things change they are usually discussed there, often in great detail.

As always, Scanner Master will be happy to help you reprogram your scanner, either with a replacement SD Card or by using our main-in programming service.

SDS100 Hints, Tips and FAQ’s

Posted on by

Here are a Baker’s Dozen of hints and tips to make life with your new SDS100 scanner happier. If your question is not answered let us know and maybe we can add it to Part 2!

1)         What is the deal with the battery?

Uniden designed the radio with a new Lithium Polymer battery pack, getting away from using common AA cells. While a lot of people preferred the AA cells since they can be easily obtained and swapped out, they just could not provide enough current to run the radio for a decent amount of time. The Lithium Polymer pack that comes with the radio was supposed to be sufficient but Uniden was not happy with the results so they designed a larger pack to be used. Unfortunately the radio was already on the assembly line by the time it was discovered that the battery life was not up to snuff.

Uniden decided to allow the radio to be sold and distributed as it was but included a notice in the box to advise purchasers to sign up for a FREE larger battery pack once they are available, likely in August 2018. Sign up at Uniden’s website and they will send you the new larger battery as well as a replacement battery door at no cost.

Once these batteries are available there should also be available for sale extra batteries. Eventually some sort of external charging device will also be available so you can charge one battery while using another.

2)         Can I charge the battery and run the radio at the same time?

Actually, on the SDS100 you can! While other Uniden scanners do not support this, as long as your charger has sufficient current capability you can charge the battery with the radio on as long as you have that option turned on in the Settings>Battery Options>Set Charge While On menu.

Why would you not want this option turned on? The only reason I see is that the red or green charge light will be on all the time when the radio is plugged in. It might take a while longer to charge the battery when the radio is on but it should not be a big issue.

3)         What else can I use to charge the battery?

The SDS100 comes with a USB charger. Alternately any USB charger will power and/or charge the SDS100 battery. If you have a smartphone or other USB device charger you can use it if you don’t want to use the charger that came with the radio.

In the car you can use any USB port to power/charge the radio. Most cars these days will have a USB port to charge your phones and other devices, these work well with USB powered scanners like the SDS100.

4)         What is the deal with the raised ridge by the antenna connector?

That ridge is part of the water proofing of the radio. When used with the supplied rubber duck antenna this helps provide a seal to block water from getting into the radio. The supplied SDS10 antenna has a rubber gasket that fits this ridge.

This does however block use of many third-party antennas and adapters. The SDS100 comes with an SMA-BNC adapter so you can use your BNC antennas but with this adapter you will not have the water resistance provided with the supplied antenna.

5)         What is that little hole on the back of the radio? Am I missing a screw?

That hole below the belt clip knob is there to provide a case breather to prevent pressure issues. The radio is still water resistant due to other parts inside the case. On some radios there have been issues with elevation changes causing the case to pressurize and damaging components. This pressure relief helps to prevent these issues.

6)         It is hard to see the color screen in sunlight, what can I do?

The SDS100 color screen is a thing of beauty but can be difficult to read in direct sun. If you go into display settings you can select white on black or black on white instead.

7)         What are the “Detail” and “Simple” screen modes?

The SDS100 has a fully customizable display. You can set it up to display just the basic information (Simple) or all kinds of special information (Detail) when receiving. Almost every item can be positioned where YOU want to put it. You can even select the colors each item is displayed in.

Simple Mode shows just basic information in an uncluttered way. Detail Mode allows you to show many different details about what you are listening to, such as trunking ID’s, PL tones etc. so you can analyze systems you are listening to. You can switch between these at will and change the way they look on the radio via the keypad or Sentinel.

8)         What are the software options?

The SDS100 uses the free Sentinel software to do the database and firmware updates. This is the same version as used on the BCD436HP and BCD536HP scanners and you can share files back and forth among all 3 radios. There is a separate version of Sentinel used for the HomePatrol models. The HomePatrol modes Sentinel has a brown icon, the 436/536/SDS version uses a green icon. Sentinel can also be used for programming Favorites lists as well.

ARC536 by Butel can be used to also program Favorites Lists, it provides the familiar Butel interface so if you have used other ARC products you will feel right at home. The Pro version also supports Virtual Control as well as other features.

9)         Will there be a base/mobile version of the SDS100?

Yes! The SDS200 is identical in operation and programming to the SDS200, but in a mobile package with a larger display.

10)       How does the GPS unit connect to the SDS100?

The Uniden BC-GPSK GPS receiver works on many different Uniden scanners and comes with several cables to adapt it to these scanners. With the SDS100 (as well as the BCD325P2) however you need a different cable. This special adapter cable, available at scannermaster.com, replaces everything but the GPS disk and attached cable. Plug the round plug from the GPS into this cable, the USB plug into a USB power source and the small plug into the Charge/USB jack on the radio. The radio will be powered/charged from the GPS cable as will the GPS itself.

11)       Sharing Favorites Lists with other scanners

The SDS100 can share the same Favorites Lists as the BCD436HP and BCG536HP, and since they all use the same version of Sentinel, it is really easy to share. You can create different Profiles for each scanner if you want or just program them all the same.

To share files from other radios you would need third party software and import/export those files with that software.

12)       If I have many Talkgroups or Sites in my trunked system will it slow down the scanner?

If you have many TALKGROUPS then no, it will not slow the scanner down. The SDS100 (and other Uniden scanners) does not actually scan talkgroups, it scans SITES and if it sees an active Talkgroup it looks to see if it is in an active Favorites list and Department. If it is it displays the name and listens to the talkgroup. If not it ignores it and moves on. All this is done in fractions of a millisecond.

If you have that trunked system’s Favorites List set to Trunked Search the scanner will look for the talkgroup and see if it is listed. If it is in the radio it will show the name etc. and hear the traffic. If it is not already programmed into the radio it will display it as “Unknown” with the Talkgroup number. If you can identify the user you can add it to your Favorites List.

What can slow down your scanner is if you have a lot of SITES programmed into the radio that you have no chance of hearing. If your area uses a large regional or statewide system then either turn off or delete the sites you would not be able to hear. (The radio’s manual describes how to do this…). The fewer sites the radio has to go thru the faster it will get to them.

13)       Do I need ProVoice, DMR or NXDN?

Well, maybe, maybe not… Check the RadioReference database and see if anything in that area use these modes. If they use them in the areas you want to listen to then you might want to get the upgrades. ProVoice is used mostly by public safety agencies in specific areas including Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Denver and Albuquerque.

DMR and NXDN are mostly used by business operations and campus installations but are occasionally used by smaller police and fire departments as it is less expensive than P25 digital systems.

14) Where can I go for more information?

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/SDS100_and_SDS200_FAQ_Page has a ton of info on the SDS100 and SDS200

2018 Dayton Hamvention

Posted on by

Scanner Master to Demo the new Uniden SDS100 at the Dayton Hamvention, May 18-20th

Scanner Master Corp. is proud once again to be displaying its wares at the 66th annual Dayton Hamvention, May 18-20th. Meet the Scanner Master experts: Rich Barnett, Jonathan Higgins and Rich Carlson as well as Gommert Buijsen of BuTel Software. We will be showcasing the latest products from Uniden, Whistler, Unication and BuTel.

See the new Uniden Bearcat SDS100 handheld scanner at the Scanner Master booth. We will have a demo on loan from Uniden for the weekend. (Note that this item has not yet received FCC approvals and may not be offered for sale.)

Meet the Scanner Master Experts:

Rich Barnett founded Scanner Master as a teenager in 1978, writing books about communications in Massachusetts. Since that time Scanner Master has become a leading dealer of scanners as well as a technology developer and consultant for the industry. (Rich Barnett will be in Dayton Friday only)

Jonathan Higgins has been a part of the Scanner Master team for the past 10 years after a career in broadcast radio. Along with being a scanner expert, Jonathan handles all of the company’s digital content. Jonathan has been interested in scanners and two-way radios for nearly 30 years

Rich Carlson, a retired police sergeant and 9-1-1 Director, has been working with Scanner Master for over 20 years as an author of scanner guides and more recently handling customer service and sales.

Gommert Buijsen has been listening to scanners since he was 14 years. Owner of BuTel, he has been developing software for scanners since the early nineties.

Road Trip to Dayton, Ohio
Follow Jonathan Higgins and Rich Carlson making their 13 hour, 835 mile trip westbound to Dayton from Boston. Things could get interesting when these two scanner buffs and rail-fans hit the road! Be sure to “Like” our Scanner Master Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for live updates as they make their way westbound.

We hope to see you in person at Hamvention. If you can’t make it we will be doing live social media updates throughout the weekend of Friday, May 18 – Sunday, May 20, 2018. Greene County Fairgrounds 120 Fairground Rd, Xenia, OH 45385. Booth 3303 | Building 3

Scanner Master to Demo the BearTracker 885 at Dayton!

Posted on by

BearTracker885If you are attending the Dayton Hamvention this year please be sure to visit the Scanner Master booth (Booth 3003 in Building #3) to see the new Uniden BearTracker 885. This is the revolutionary new CB radio with a digital police scanner built-in. Or is it a digital scanner with a built-in CB? Whichever way you look at it, it is a neat radio!

Join Scanner Master’s Rich Barnett and BuTel’s Gommert Buijsen as they demonstrate current radios, accessories and software as well as the new BearTracker 885.

While the BearTracker 885 is not yet available for sale pending FCC approvals, you can see it in person exclusively at the Scanner Master booth!

Hamvention is held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 19-21 2017 at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia OH, just north of Dayton.

Join the waiting list for the Uniden BearTracker 885.

Software UPDATE: ARCXT Software V.2.1 Build 3

Posted on by

BuTel ARCXT Software update is now available
Download here ARCXT Basic / ARCXT PRO

BuTelChanges in 2.1 build 3:

  • added support for DMR/Mototrbo systems
  • added talk group filters to RR import
  • added service type filters to RR import
  • fixed error message in RR import
  • add print group quick keys option
  • added Color code settings to DL/DPL

DMR/ProVoice firmware update information 

Note:
Owners of the BCD325P2 and BCD996P2 must update the scanner firmware in order to use the new ARCXT update.  This is only for P2 models and does not effect XT models.

BCD325P2 Firmware Updates
BCD996P2 Firmware Updates

Zip Code Based Scanning: How does it work?

Posted on by

You say you are interested in a “ZIP Code” scanner like a HomePatrol, BCD436HP or BCD536HP? You like the idea of having the scanner do all the programming by itself but don’t understand how it works? Here are the answers you are looking for! The HomePatrol and x36 scanners are wonderful technology and take a lot of the work out of scanning. By understanding how they work you can better understand how to use the radio and address any issues that might pop up.

First of all there are a couple misconceptions about these scanners. One common one is that they will only hear things in the chosen ZIP Code. This is incorrect. “ZIP Code” scanners use the location you enter into the radio (either by ZIP Code, city and state or by GPS coordinates) as a CENTER POINT. You then enter in a “Range” in miles, this creates a circle around that location. The larger the Range setting makes a larger circle and more stuff that will be programmed into your radio. The Range setting only affects what is programmed into the scanner, not the actual distance it will receive from.

When you set a location and range the radio will automatically program in all the services you selected within the circle and allow you to listen to it. If a Service Type is unavailable to be selected (greyed out) that means the database has no channels with that Service Type within the circle.

So what happens when you need to listen to something 20 miles away but really don’t want to listen to another area closer in? This is where the “Avoid” system comes in handy. Learn how to use the Avoid key on your scanner and use it to lockout Channels, Departments or Systems from your radio to help tailor your listening. “Avoid” works much like the Lockout function in older scanners. “Temporary Avoid? Means that the item will be locked out until the radio is shut off, the item will return the next time you turn on the radio. “Permanent Avoid” will cause it to stay locked out until you go in and “unavoid” it.

There is another way to easily tailor your HomePatrol or “x36” scanner to your preferences. This is by using Favorites Lists. Favorites Lists are basically your own frequency sets for your area. Instead of using the Nationwide Database and going strictly by location, a Favorites List will allow you to import Systems from the Nationwide Database or create your own from scratch. This is usually done with the Sentinel program that comes with your scanner. You can also work on Favorites Lists with ARC-Patrol (for HomePatrol’s) or ARC-536 (for the BCD436HP and BCD536HP).

To create a Favorites List you would import items from the Nationwide Database into it. You can then edit the information but adding or deleting your own information. You can also create a List from scratch and built it from the ground up.

If you selected ScannerMaster’s Optimize option for your HomePatrol or x36 scanner we would have created a Favorites List for you for your area. You can edit this if you want with Sentinel. You can also edit this from the scanner itself but this can be time consuming and kind of daunting. It is a bit easier on the 436 and 536 than the HomePatrol but we recommend that you do this in Sentinel, trust me it is a lot easier!

So where does the database itself come from? It comes from you and me! A website called RadioReference (www.radioreference.com) hosts a database where scanner users from all over the world share information. Each state and province has one or more Database Manager’s that filter submissions from users and update the main database. Once a week Uniden retrieves a copy of this database and makes it available to scanner users via Sentinel.

Basic or Pro, Download or CD? Which is the best ARC software for your scanner?

Posted on by

ScannerMaster is proud to sell ARC software products for scanners from Butel. ARC stands for “Advanced Radio Control” and there are ARC packages for most current and many older scanners. These applications share a common “Look and feel” so that if you learn your way around one you will know how to work the others. These are the easiest to use programming software for scanners and ScannerMaster is the main US distributer.

When you chose your software make sure to pick the right product! ARC Products work on specific radios. The radios the software will work on are listed in the descriptions, if you are not sure call us and one of our experts will help you make sure you have the right product. Some packages work on many different radios and others work only on one.

When you look at the ARC packages on our website you will usually see 4 choices. Two of them are named “Basic” and “Pro” and there are usually CD and Download versions each.

ARC “Basic” software allows the user to read and write to the radio, import files from RadioReference and other sources and perform all programming actions.

ARC “Pro” versions add in the ability to control the radio within the software (if your radio supports this) as well as record audio from the radio to your computer. Some radios also support a Bandscope feature.

The “CD” version comes delivered on a CD with the product key on a label inside the CD cover.

The “Download” version comes to you as a link emailed to you so you can download the software on the Internet, the product key is emailed to you. This saves you the shipping cost and if you lose your product key we can resend it to you.

Even if you buy the CD version you can download the updated version of the same software as needed, such as if you get a new computer or an update has been made. Your product keys will still work.

A couple things to remember: 

If you buy the CD Version make sure you save the product keys! We do not have copies of these numbers, if you lose the CD Case and didn’t copy the number someplace we have no way of replacing it. We can resend Download version product keys but only to those customers that bought the Download version.

Most ARC products will automatically print a confirmation sheet when you successfully register the software with the Product Keys. Save this someplace safe, it has your Product Keys on it and can be used to reinstall the software on a replacement computer.

As always ScannerMaster experts are here to help with your questions!

Windows 10 and Scanners

Posted on by

Many people have recently been upgraded to Windows 10, whether they like it or not. For most people it seems to work fine, it just looks different. Most scanner software, such as ARC products, Sentinel and EZ-Scan works just fine in Windows 10 but might take a few steps to get it to work. Here are a few steps to make your transition a little easier:

1)         Update the cable.

If you have a Uniden XT series scanner and use the USB-1 cable make sure you have the newer version. There are 2 versions of the USB-1 cable. The older version will not work in Windows 10 (or Windows 8 for that matter). The ones we sell now work just fine in all versions of Windows. If your cable worked in Windows XP or 7 and no longer works in Windows 10 then it probably needs to be replaced by a newer version. You can also try a USB-Serial adapter and the Serial Port cable that came with your scanner.

Most RadioShack, GRE and Whistler orange, blue and black USB scanner cables seem to work fine in Windows 10. If your scanner (Uniden, GRE or Whistler) has a “Mini-USB port on the front or side of the radio that looks like a little trapezoid then a standard USB device cable will work.

2)         Update the driver.

Some cables and scanners require drivers. These are small files that tell the computer how to relate to and communicate with the radio. Check the ScannerMaster page for the cable or radio that you have for links to the current drivers. Most of the time it is better to install the driver first, then plug in the cable or device. Make sure that you install the driver for your operating system. If Windows 10 isn’t listed then use the Windows 8 driver, chances are it will work fine.

3)         Update the program.

Sometimes the application itself needs to be updated for Windows 10. Just like drivers however, if it worked in Windows 7 or 8 it should work in 10.

4)         If all else fails reinstall the program.

Sometimes after you upgrade to Windows 10 you will still not get the radio and program to communicate. We have found that many times, especially with ARC products, simple uninstalling the program and reinstalling it will fix your connection issues. Make sure you are updating to the latest version of the program. You can download the latest versions at the program’s website. Your activation keys will still work with newer versions of the same program.

As with any program, your results may vary. The above steps will fix a majority of the issues with scanner programs, they have fixed every issue I have had. Depending on the computer hardware, software, operating system and a host of other factors you may have an issue that just doesn’t want to work even after doing all this. If you still get stuck then you may need to contact the software’s support department.

Hamvention 2015

Posted on by

AOR to demonstrate their new AR-DV1 Multi-Mode Digital Receiver at the Scanner Master booth #402 on Friday May 15th at 2 PM

We are so pleased and excited to announce that Taka Nakayama of AOR-USA will be at our booth on Friday afternoon at the Dayton Hamvention this year to demonstrate the eagerly awaited, all-new, AR-DV1 receiver.

The DV1 is the first radio that provides decoding of many of the digital formats which no other scanner is able to receive, AR-DV1 Multi-Mode Digital Receiverincluding:

  • MotoTrbo ™
  • DMR ™
  • dPMR ™
  • NXDN ™

as well as numerous amateur radio digital formats from Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom and Alinco. The radio will also decode APCO-25 Phase I digital as well as conventional analog traffic. (The receiver does not trunk). MotoTrbo systems are now used by public safety agencies and business around the country and the world. NXDN is used by public safety as well as railroads around the nation.

This radio is a huge breakthrough and we hope you’ll join us at Dayton this year to see the receiver in action, live at our booth. We also will have a small stock available for purchase at the show. Gommert Buysen of BuTel Software will once again be at our booth as well.

Hamvention 2015The Dayton Hamvention
Friday May 15, 2015 – Sunday, May 17, 2015
Hours are as follows:
Flea Market
Friday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Inside Exhibitors
Friday: 9;00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Scanner Master Road Trip – Upcoming Dayton Hamvention

Posted on by

By Richard Barnett

Dayton Hamvention 2012
Location: Dayton, OH – Directions
Dates: Friday, May 18, 2012 – Sunday, May 20, 2012
Booth: #402 – Show Map

Scanner Master will be back at its usual inside booth #402 at the Dayton Hamvention in Ohio from May 18th-20th. Rich Barnett will be there along with Gommert Buysen of Butel ARC Software. If you’ve never been to the Dayton Hamvention it’s the world’s largest gathering of Ham radio operators including a great many scanner enthusiasts. GRE, Icom and others will have booths and Rich and Gommert will be in the Scanner Master booth to answer any questions and of course sell scanners and accessories.

Please stop by and say hello and take a look at some of our new products and accessories.

Make sure you check the Scanner Master Blog for updates from the road to Dayton, OH.